browser

Mobile Web usage is on the rise as more fully featured browsers come to market on smartphones.

Smartphones, which are designed to handle more sophisticated applications, are growing in popularity. In fact, Apple's iPhone was named the most popular phone during the third quarter of 2008, surpassing sales of Motorola's Razr, according to the NPD Group.

A report from ABI Research on Thursday predicts that the number of smartphones with highly capable mobile browsers will grow from 130 million today to more than 530 million by 2013.

There are many reasons consumers are using the mobile Web now … Read more

Google has released a new developer-oriented version of Chrome that brings better bookmark management to the Web browser.

People could import bookmarks to the earlier versions of the browser, but version 0.4.154.18 adds the a bookmark manager. "You can search bookmarks, create folders, and drag and drop bookmarks to new locations," said Chrome Program Manager Mark Larson in an e-mail announcement.

It's a developer release, so only those who've subscribed to the Chrome developer channel will get the new version.

Another change comes to the browser's pop-up blocker. Previously, it "just … Read more

Update 9:14 a.m. PST: I uncovered much more specific information from Google programmers, so be sure to check this separate story describing how Chrome works crudely on Linux.

I get a lot of e-mail from people asking when Google will release its Chrome Web browser for Mac OS X and Linux. So, with the Windows beta version available for more than two months now, I thought I'd pester Google for an updated schedule.

Will we see the new versions by Thanksgiving? The end of the year?

The answer, in effect: "Please hold, your call is important … Read more

With so much energy and progress in the mobile browser space these past two months (see here and here), you would expect the makers of the venerable Opera Mini browser to release an update that makes real progress on its free browser for Java phones.

Instead, on Tuesday, Norway-based Opera Software pushed a mini update (download) that tacks on one syncing function, an assortment of skins worthy of Apple's iPod bonanza, and a wobbly kluge for introducing video playback.

Opera Mini's video playback is the biggest news here. It's in such high demand in the mobile world, … Read more

Yahoo has improved its BrowserPlus technology for more sophisticated Web applications and now lets other Web sites besides its own use it, the company said.

BrowserPlus, like Google's Gears, is software that can be plugged into a person's Web browser to make Web-based applications work more like native desktop programs.

One key feature, for example, is a better upload interface that gets around the tedious requirement at most Web sites that people individually select each photo, video, or other file to be uploaded. Another is desktop notifications, letting a Web-based e-mail, calendar, or instant messaging application notify a … Read more

If you're an Opera user, the Norwegian browser has upgraded to version 9.62 to plug two potential security breaches that could be used to execute arbitrary code.

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, Opera labeled the History Search security hole as "extremely severe." The exploit could be used to execute arbitrary code through the search results page. The second problem, noted as "highly severe," stops the links panel from allowing cross-site scripting. This potential breach could have occurred via unrelated frames appearing on the same page. You can read the Opera changelog here.

Updated on 10/21/08 with more detail.

Starting Friday, Americans won't be the only ones able to test drive the newly opened beta for Skyfire's mobile browser.

Now Canadians can, too, after one or two tweaks to Skyfire's registration process gives northern numbers the green light.

While Canada may be the first country outside of the U.S. with a chance to download the mobile browsing alternative, it won't be the only one for long--Skyfire won't announce particulars, but did say that it expects to expand its service to other countries soon. This is … Read more

You thought you had the browser face-off signed and sealed until Google introduced its fleet-footed Chrome browser. Has it been enough to change the game?

With help from CNET Download.com's Seth Rosenblatt and Webware.com's Josh Lowensohn, CNET's Brian Tong takes Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome through a rigorous four-round contest--to determine which contender makes all-around champ.

Sorry, Opera, looks like you're sitting this one out.

Updated 2 p.m. PDT to clarify details about indexing secure pages.

Google will soon begin distributing a third beta version of its Chrome Web browser, a release that takes on bugs, performance, and security weaknesses.

"You will automatically get updated in the next few days," Chrome program manager Mark Larson said in a mailing list post Wednesday night announcing the new version. People can check if a new version is available by clicking the wrench menu and selecting "About Google Chrome."

On the security front, Google Chrome version 0.3.154.9 stomps a security … Read more